In southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district lies the Government Degree College for Women Pulwama (GDC Women Pulwama), where the tranquility of academia is now disrupted by the unrest among its contractual lecturers.
The contractual lecturers of this institution find themselves embroiled in a struggle for fair compensation and the assurance of regular classwork.
The recent decision by the J&K Higher Education Department to slash the remuneration of these educators has sparked outrage and concern, leading to a vociferous demand for justice.
Initially receiving a monthly salary of Rs 28,000, the contractual lecturers had been advocating for a raise to match their counterparts in other states, who enjoy salaries up to Rs 50,000.
However, their hopes were dashed when a new policy decreed a paltry Rs 400 per lecture and called them ‘guest faculty’, limiting their potential earnings to a mere Rs 12,000 to 15,000 per month.
The circular issued by the J&K Higher Education Department on February 1, 2024, stipulated that guest faculty would be compensated at the rate of Rs 400 per lecture. This decision, seen as unjust by many, has left the guest lecturers grappling with financial insecurity and uncertainty about their future.
The implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 in Jammu and Kashmir aimed to synchronize the academic calendar with national standards. This move, while lauded for its efforts to streamline education, has inadvertently exacerbated the plight of guest lecturers.
One of the central issues highlighted by the aggrieved teachers is the disruption in classwork, particularly on Fridays. Dr Mohammad Yousuf Nengroo, a senior guest lecturer at GDC Women Pulwama, lamented the unofficial holiday observed due to low student attendance on Fridays.
This absence of classwork translates to a direct loss of income for the guest lecturers, further exacerbating their financial woes.
Dr Nengroo, along with his colleagues, who are highly qualified with PhDs and NET qualifications, demand urgent action to address their concerns.
They advocate for the resumption of regular classwork on Fridays to ensure equitable compensation and uphold the integrity of academic engagement.
However, when approached for comment, Principal Yasmeen Farooq refuted claims of disrupted classwork on Fridays. She asserted that classes are conducted as scheduled, including on Fridays. Nevertheless, she pledged to investigate the matter and ensure the uninterrupted continuation of classwork to alleviate the grievances of the guest lecturers.
As the debate rages on, the fate of contractual or guest lecturers hangs in the balance, symbolizing the broader challenges facing education in Jammu and Kashmir. With stakeholders on both sides of the divide, the resolution of this issue remains a pressing concern, impacting not only the livelihoods of educators but also the quality of education imparted to students. (KNT)